07 Camry SE V6 Problem - Service Dept. Stumped - Comments?

[kkmatuse]

I'm wondering if any other new Camry owner has experienced this problem (explained in the below email we had to send to the dealership service department after several visits and no resolution). My car now has 1600 miles and the problem has not changed or been fixed.

I have removed the names from the original email.
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Dear Mr. xxx:

My name is xxx and my wife and I purchased a 2007 Camry SE V6 in December. At about 350 miles, the car began making an unnatural noise at approximately 5 mph. The noise is not continuous; it is more like a loud mechanical sounding click coming from some part of the car and it happens at least once every time the car is started and placed into Drive. We took the car into your service center and the technician had trouble detecting the noise. He tried lubricating the brake pads and said to call if the noise continued. Almost immediately the noise returned and we took the car back to the service center where my wife was able to get the car to make the noise several times with a technician listening. He was shocked at the sound and told her that the “car should not be making that noise” and he “had never heard a new Camry make that sound”. She was told the problem would be found and she was given a loaner car (2007 Camry LE) for a few days while your technicians investigated the noise. Two days later I was called and one of the service team members said that he could not determine what was making the noise and he tried unsuccessfully to duplicate the noise with other 2007 Camrys. He also said that he was going to keep the car for 1 more day to continue the investigation. The next day he called and said that he was able to duplicate the noise with every other 2007 Camry and that he was filing some kind of report with Toyota. Meanwhile, the Camry loaner car never made the noise so we automatically thought that the diagnosis (or lack there of) was bogus.

I returned to your dealership to pick up the car and to speak with the technician, who was conveniently not available. I then went to our Salesperson and brought him up to speed with what was going on (he was already aware that we were hearing the noise, but not that the service team was having problems finding it). He suggested we test drive a 2007 Camry V6 XLE (the only V6 on the lot that was not sold) on the lot to see if we could get it to make the noise. We did so and it did not make any noise. We then got in my car and he was able to hear the noise with his own ears.

This is not a situation we wanted to be in. If there are no other reports to Toyota of a customer hearing this noise, this problem will slip though the cracks. We have spoken with other 2007 Camry owners who have heard no such noise with their cars. Knowing that other 2007 Camrys do not make the noise tells us that this is an isolated case and you have no fix for our new $30,000+ (msrp) vehicle. We had been told very good things about the Service Department at xxx Toyota and this was one of the reasons we chose to work with your Dealership. To this point, we feel this has been a let down. Please let us know how this situation will be resolved.
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We since have been told that the dealership has contacted the Field Engineer for Toyota in our region and they are going to be researching the problem. We have checked for a TSB, but even the dealership says there isn't one for this issue. This is very frustrating!

Any comments?
Thanks!

[El Tano]

They are all the same man, this is my 1st Toyota ever, and let me tell, Toyota dealers suck, I thought that a company like Toyota will train they dealers, but not, you go to a dealer after you did some research on Internet and they look at you like you work for the NASA, (where did you get all this information??? they ask you) they are a bunch of door knobs, people that goes to work, just because they are getting paid, they are not car people at all, they don't know that washing the car with the stupid machines they put swirls on the paint, they don't know that if they are gonna be working under the car and inside the car they should start inside the car, and not after they come from under the car all dirty and greasy, they don't know shit, I have a " technician" tell me that the problem that I have with the cruise control shifting up and down at 35 MPH, is because the cruise control is design for high speeds ...
And you call Corporation and they say try another dealer, you call again and they don't have an awnser or they never call you back to see what going on, of course they don't need to do that, RIGHT, GUESS WHAT!!!! they already got your money..now the problem It's yours...

I hope they can fix that problem in your car, because I didn't have any luck on my 5 visits to the dealer..(no for that problem).

[summerwind]

May be something different but the ABS system goes through a self check process

When the vehicle speed first becomes

approximately 4 mph (6 km/h) or more after the
ignition switch is turned on (IG), each solenoid valve
and motor of the brake actuator is sequentially
activated to perform an electrical check. During the
initial check, the operating sound of solenoid valve
and motor can be heard from the engine
compartment, but this is not a malfunction.

I am not an expert here but a wild guess might be one of the soleniod valves is bad or extra noisy or not mounted properly or loose.

[wilfredcruz]

TRAC/VSC
makes a noise right after you start moving forward.

[kkmatuse]

They did mention the ABS self check initially and supposedly checked that out with no indication of a problem. I have a feeling this is something the Field Engineer is going to concentrate on.

It's the most bizarre sound. Sometimes is sounds like a flap is snapping shut and other times it sounds like a spring is popping. And it's definitely not a subtle sound...it's loud.

Thanks.

[onsknht]

Can you better describe the noise you're dealing with???

If you sit in one spot and go between Reverse and Drive with the brakes on can you hear it?

The reason I ask and not to alarm you... My 2007 SE had a creaking/popping noise that was never located before I traded it in. The best guess without ripping more bodywork off the car was a failed/missing/poor weld between the firewall and the right front strut tower.

If you have a similar noise, I can elaborate more about what to look for.

[Netforcer]

I was thinking the self-check... Had a clicking noise everytime on my accord, don't notice it no my camry...

Is the noise that annoying and loud that it bothers u? I mean how long does anybody drive at 5 mph on average?

[CanadianDad]

El Tano....you are such a dufus, and ALL of your comments about Toyota people are completely irrational and illustrate your complete ignorance. If you would even CARE TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ your operators manual you would see that it CLEARLY STATES in the manual that the cruise control is designed to operate at speeds above 40 or 45mph (not sure which as I am at work and not in front of my manual). RTFM!!!! What the hell do you need CRUISE CONTROL for at the lower speeds???? You shouldn't be using CRUISE CONTROL at those lower speeds (which means driving in urban areas!!!). That is unsafe for ANYONE around you including pedestrians.

Every one of your comments display your ignorance for the Toyota mechanics and their highly technical jobs. For example, do you think the Mechanic should START INSIDE the car when changing your oil??? How the heck is he supposed to remove the filter and the drain plug from inside the car?? He has to start OUTSIDE the car to do that work. GIVE ME A BREAK!! Toyota owners like you are total jerks and would probably be better off buying some piece of crap American car. I would not be unhappy if you did that in the future and show some respect for the excellent product that the Toyota is...afterall, explain exactly HOW the Toyota product will soon be the NUMBER ONE car brand in total sales in the next year or so?? They don't get that way by manufacturing CRAP! Go buy a Ford and see how you are treated at the dealership...if Ford is still in business in a year or two!

[onsknht]

Originally Posted by CanadianDad

If you would even CARE TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ your operators manual you would see that it CLEARLY STATES in the manual that the cruise control is designed to operate at speeds above 40 or 45mph (not sure which as I am at work and not in front of my manual).

I think you need to spend a little more time in the commode with the manual... Pages 181-184 in the owner's manual indicate nothing about 40-45 MPH.

However, being a Canuck, I can see how you're confused because any country that would call their $1 piece a loony and give a fella a "handfull" of these coveted loony coins back after buying a cup of coffee with a $10 must be on the metric system...

25MPH = about 40KMH

[kkmatuse]

It's not just a clicking sound. It's literally like a door or flap is slamming shut. I have had people ask me about it when they were riding in my car for the first time (and these are people who don't know the situation).

And it's not the 5mph thing that bothers me, of course I'm not driving 5 mph!? But, it happens everytime the car is started and I press the gas pedal. If I am driving and come to a stop, it will not happen again. It only happens when the car is turned off, sits for even a few minutes, then started and driven again. But, it is definitely not a noise that should be coming from a brand new car. Or any car for that matter.

[RichardJames]

I feel ya man. The situation sounds frustrating. Sounds like that in a new car can be very annoying and embarrassing to the driver/owner. I'm just glad my 'sound' was found within a reasonable amount of time by Longo Toyota.

[91_ToYoTa_CaMrY]

That sucks to hear, i read and was told about a recall from Toyota with the new Camry's and their transmission, they're no good and get fucked over easily.Maybe its ur tranny lol no clue not an expert

[greycam07]

dont the ABS system do a check after you turn the car on put it in D and start moving? I know in my I4 soon as I Reverse out the drive way and then put the car in D at about 5-10mph i hear a thud or a flap noise. I thought the noise was somethin wrong with the car and took it to a local mechanic that ive been with for 6 years(parents been with the mechanic for 25 years) I trust the mechanic and his workers 110% of workin on my car and im very anal about who works on my car. But anyways they did checks etc and then took a laptop and plugged it in the car and started it up put it in D and watched all what was goin on and one thing that popped up was a ABS/Brake system check(which was the thud or slight bang noise) they said its working perfectly and nothing was to worry about it. Idk if this helps or not but if the dealer cant fix it take it to a mechanic u can trust or a friend that goes through.

I dont see how it can be a trans issue cause the fact the car is in gear and is moving so it cant be skipping or lagging etc.

Idk what else u can do though I know some mechanics had wireless mics and they placed one inside the engine bay one in a tire well and the other under the car and run the cars to find were the sound is exactly comin from...maybe you can try it if you had something similiar to it. Cause I know my friends camaro had a weird noise we all it was in the front but it was actually in the rear of the car.

sorry idk if I rambled too much but hope anything helped.

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by 91_ToYoTa_CaMrY

That sucks to hear, i read and was told about a recall from Toyota with the new Camry's and their transmission, they're no good and get fucked over easily.Maybe its ur tranny lol no clue not an expert

Old news...

Problem fixed a long time ago Transmissions affected were before these vins.

MODEL PLANT PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN

Tsutsumi JTNBK46K#73016015
TMMK Line 1 4T1BK46K#7U025516

TMMK Line 2 4T1BK46K#7U530472

[El Tano]

Originally Posted by CanadianDad

El Tano....you are such a dufus, and ALL of your comments about Toyota people are completely irrational and illustrate your complete ignorance. If you would even CARE TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ your operators manual you would see that it CLEARLY STATES in the manual that the cruise control is designed to operate at speeds above 40 or 45mph (not sure which as I am at work and not in front of my manual). RTFM!!!! What the hell do you need CRUISE CONTROL for at the lower speeds???? You shouldn't be using CRUISE CONTROL at those lower speeds (which means driving in urban areas!!!). That is unsafe for ANYONE around you including pedestrians.

Every one of your comments display your ignorance for the Toyota mechanics and their highly technical jobs. For example, do you think the Mechanic should START INSIDE the car when changing your oil??? How the heck is he supposed to remove the filter and the drain plug from inside the car?? He has to start OUTSIDE the car to do that work. GIVE ME A BREAK!! Toyota owners like you are total jerks and would probably be better off buying some piece of crap American car. I would not be unhappy if you did that in the future and show some respect for the excellent product that the Toyota is...after all, explain exactly HOW the Toyota product will soon be the NUMBER ONE car brand in total sales in the next year or so?? They don't get that way by manufacturing CRAP! Go buy a Ford and see how you are treated at the dealership...if Ford is still in business in a year or two!

First of all I'm sorry kkmatuse to use your post but I have to answer to this door knob..
Canadiandad, I don't know who in the fuck do yoy think you are to call me an ignorant...... heeeeey

Why don't you fucking read, before making stupid comments without knowing the facts.heeeey

The cruise control start working at 25 MPH, so that means you can use it..
I use the cruise control at 30 MPH in a zone close to my home which are like 2 miles, paralel to a rail track, no lights, no stops, and the street is so wide that everybody goes over the limit and there is a cop every single day...

About the technician, if I take my car in to fix, alignment, brake noises and interior noises... I don't want the same guy that worked on my alignment and brakes to later seat in my seats and leave grease stains and finger marks all over my door panels..

When you say buy a Ford, the fact that Ford doesn't make good cars, doesn't mean that Toyota makes a good car. Let me tell you what, this is my first Toyota, people talk about Toyota like It's the best car out there, but I think that they are talking about the Japanese made. Why don't you read around, all the people who has problems with the camry, their car was USA manufactured. Toyota sold a lot of Camries, and they sold one to me, but that doesn't mean that I'm happy with the car and that the car doesn't have problems.
So before you make anymore comments, just learn a little more about the facts...
eeyyyyy